Team Jacob

In anticipation for the release of the Twilight Saga: Eclipse & being Team Jacob fans-- Haylie & I decided to make T-shirts & necklaces for the event. We tried our hand at a new Freezer paper/ Spray Paint technique for the shirts. We used huge glass circles and did the Tribal Tatoo for the necklaces. They turned out so cool! Yeah! I'm so excited!!!

Temple Trip

Disclaimer: Haylie did such a great job of summarizing our trip- I am going to copycat most of her post! :)
It has been way too long since Haylie & I have been to the Temple. I've been kind of down spiritually lately and was dragging my feet on even going (making excuses of time and expense and blah and blah). Actually, I called Haylie last night to finally say I would pick her up in the morning. I am SOOO glad we went.
It was the fastest 3 hour trip to Bismarck we have experienced yet, although it might have to do with the fact that Jamestown somehow disappeared during this trip. I swear!!! Kinda scary but I seriously spaced half the trip! Haylie promised me she's gonna point out Jamestown the next time. I'm sure you're now all excited to hire me as a chauffeur. In my defense, it was rainy and cloudy and except for the ocassional "mountain" (ND rolling hills), it all looks the same. I do promise I was a safe driver- I just got lost in the company of a good friend. LOL!
When we got there we were 30 minutes early, a first for me, so we got to sit out in the front area and relax. It's always fun to see so many people you recognize in the Temple. (even when you don't make it as regularly as you should :) That's the wonderful thing about smaller Temples.
After the session, we sat in the Celestial room for quite some time discussing some of the things that caught our attention during the session. I like to concentrate on learning something new every time. This time, I could write a talk about what I learned!!! (and I just might! :) But the short and sweet of it is Daily Scripture study and how even the Creation of the world shows us how important it is and the steps we need to take to set up a regular study of God's Word. It also means--I have somethings to work on. :) That's nothing new though, right?
The Celestial Room was so beautiful and peacful and quiet. Not the "all the kids are now finally in bed and we tidied up a bit and watched a show and now I'm going to lay here in the quiet for 2 seconds before I fall asleep" kind of quiet BUT the kind that you can breathe in. I really needed some of that! We ended up being the last ones in the room and it was wonderful sitting there in the silence. I also got to show Haylie the Tissue box covers I made for the Bismarck Temple last year. It was fun to see them in the Celestial Room- they're even prettier than I remember them!
Remember how I said I had a bad mood about coming-- and how it was rainy on the trip out. Well...I definitely came out with a better attitude and low and behold- the sun came out as well. Too funny how God can tell you He's keeping an eye on you even with a simple little sunshine. I was very grateful!
We went to a late lunch at the Olive Garden.  We had a good time talking and eating delicious food. Then we headed for home. Another fast 3 hours, lots of giggles, running over a dead skunk and smelling it for the next 20 minutes resulting in a story about a bullet bike running over a cat, an interesting fact about the gigantic bison statue in Jamestown (don't ask!) and then we were home! We haven't talked or laughed that much in a long time. It's so great to have such fabulous friends to make special lasting memories with. Thanks lady for making the trip with me. Sure luv ya!
I sure LOVE the Temple and the opportunity I have to feel of God's love when I am there!

Unfinished Projects Done- Check!!!

Not my projects today, people!! This time... I am bragging for my friends! (this is a quite a few months in the making but time flies when you're having fun)...

Hanging out with awesome ladies. Check!!

Crafters heaven. Check!

Projects completed. Check!

WAHOO! Onto new things but first a little look at the hard work!

Haylie Mae- Matt & Haylie needed a King size Comforter for their bed and the "Indian" in Matt made a store-bought quilt unexceptable. So... Haylie and  I went on a little journey together (well- I think Haylie thought it was LONG! LOL but she seemed way speedy to me!) She did a fabulous job and it looks awesome! Now we just need a couple throw pillows (hint hint Lady!) and the bed will be Parade of Homes worthy!

Brooke Cook- Brooke has been carrying a little Art to Heart Christmas Pattern Book around with her for a couple years now. She had grand plans to make these adorable Christmas Stockings for each of her 8 family members. She worked on them here and there a little at a time. Well, after Christmas, we decided (OK- it was probably more me than Brooke LOL) that the time had come to get them done and retire the book for good! We have been getting together every Tuesday since the beginning of the year. We sadly missed our Jan 31 deadline goal by 31 days (we do have 4 kids and lunch and naps and craziness going on our Sewing Tuesdays as well- LOL) but they are FINISHED! Hallelujah!!! SO adorable but if we don't see them until Christmas it will be a good thing! Aren't they Amazing?

Ashlee Weber- Ashlee has gotten dragged into a couple Quilt making projects with me over the last couple years. When she first started she was very timid but MAN! look at her now. She is like a hundred times faster and more precise than 3 years ago. Sadly for us, Nick graduates very, very soon and then they are moving. But we have unfinished projects to be done! AHHHH! Aren't deadlines great? LOL! Ashlee's been coming over to finish her Scripture Power Quilt and I made it over for a late night date to finish up her Friendship Quilt. They look awesome! Your like a pro sew-er now, Lady! BEAUTIFUL! We are even gonna get brave and make it over to the Ransom's to quilt them ourselves. Go us!!!

Deb Stephenson- Deb was also dragged into the little Quilt Adventure with me 3 years ago. This is her first quilt and most likely her last but it is so exciting! She took the day off to hang out with me and sew. I gave her a coupon last year for her Bday to quilt it when we finished piecing it so I'll have to post a picture when it's all done. Great job on the piecing, Lady! Look at you go! and thanks for using your vacation time to hang out with me. Luv ya! I know you can't see the finished quilt due to the Sunshine but it was a beautiful day so you'll just have to imagine what it looks like until we get it all quilted and bound. It's gonna be amazing!

KBro- First, a little background about our Fall Friendship Quilts... (or maybe about Brooke and I in general. LOL) When we came up with the idea, Brooke and I did a little calculating, browsing the Internet and buying EXTRA fabric. Cuz that's what we do really well. LOL! Anywho- we got tons of fabric for sashing and borders and extra colors and then a few fat quarter packs just cuz we loved a certain pattern. Needless to say- we have A LOT of the Fabulous Fall fabric. Well, for the Friendship quilt we only included the fabric for the blocks for the ladies and they were in charge of getting the rest. However, even after finishing mine completely and doing Ashlee's, I told Kristen I had enough to have her add sashing and some splash of color to her quilt with all my leftovers. I told you we bought a LOT of fabric. YEAH! I'm so excited and I love how they all turn out so different. We'll have to take a pic when you get it done lady! With your last couple projects we can really call you a master Quilter now!

So there you have it. Spending time with great women and finishing projects. What more could a girl ask for? NOTHING! LUVed every minute! Sew much fun!!! You ladies are AMAZING!